Italy knights 46-year-old Anupam Sah for his outstanding work in restoration techniques

Anupam Sah, 46, a Nainital-based art conservationist who has restored numerous heritage properties, including monuments, sculptures, manuscripts and cities, has been knighted by Italy for his ‘outstanding work in the field of restoration techniques’. Anupam is also a Founder of the Himalayan Society for Heritage and Art Conservation (HIMSHACO), a not-for-profit organisation based in Nainital, The Times Of India reported on Tuesday, “I received the notification last month. It feels good when your dedication and hard work is acknowledged in any form. I am really humbled and hope my efforts will bring awareness towards conserving our rich heritage.”

The letter from the government of Italy, dated February 24, 2016, announces that Sergio Mattarella, the Italian President, will confer ‘Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy’ on Anupam, who at present is head of Art Conservation, Research and Training at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya – formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, in Mumbai. Anupam has worked on conservation of various heritage properties in nations across the globe like Germany, France, Italy, England, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Nepal. Anupam’s projects in India include the one in Raghurajpur village in Puri district, Odisha. After convincing the centre and state governments to link art conservation with development, the place was declared a heritage village in 2003. He also restored parts of old Bhubaneswar in 2004 under the ‘Old Town Revitalization Project’ of the Centre.

Anupam at present, is in Nainital, conducting a month-long workshop for conservators-restorers who have come from various institutions across the country and research centres under the flagship National Mission for Manuscripts, launched in February 2003 by the department of culture, Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture, to save rare manuscripts. NMM seeks to not merely locate, catalogue and preserve India’s rare manuscripts but also enhance access and awareness, and encourage their use for educational and research purposes.

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